Even though the El Camino Real Derby lost its Grade 3 status and had its purse cut in half to $100,000 this year, the race retains significance as an early prep for runners on the Kentucky Derby trail.

The El Camino Real Derby, for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles on the Golden Gate Fields Tapeta main track, will be run Saturday. It offers 17 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, including 10 to the winner.

Golden Gate Fields racing secretary Patrick Mackey said early in the week he expected more runners on Saturday than the seven that ran in the El Camino Real Derby last year.

One barn at Turf Paradise has been quarantined after the Phoenix track reportedly had a horse test positive for Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalophathy (EHV-1).

According to a statement by the Equine Disease Communication Center, the Arizona Department of Agriculture confirmed EHV-1 in a horse at Turf Paradise. The statement said the horse showed neurologic signs Feb. 8 and was moved to a referral hospital. Track officials and the state veterinarian’s office continue to monitor exposed horses.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Owner, breeder, and former racing executive Don Amos died at age 73 on Feb. 8 at the Sheridan Villa in Mississauga, Ontario.

Amos, a native of Barrie, Ontario, was the Ontario Jockey Club’s vice president of Woodbine Sales prior to joining Magna International in 1984. He was eventually appointed as chief operating officer of Magna Entertainment, before retiring from the company in 2006.

Amos owned and bred Swingin On Ice, who captured the Grade 2 Beaumont Stakes at Keeneland in 1999 for trainer Josie Carroll.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Seven Trumpets will be making his two-turn debut Feb. 19 in the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn. He may be joined in the race by stablemate Promises Fulfilled, said trainer Dale Romans.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Sporting Chance, the most accomplished young horse on the grounds at Oaklawn as the winner of last year’s Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga, put in a sharp final work Monday for his 3-year-old debut. He is being pointed for the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest on Feb. 19.

NEW ORLEANS – Even after entering the race, the trainers of Risen Star entrants Supreme Aura and High North left the door open to opt for the Southwest Stakes on Feb. 19 at Oaklawn Park.

Trainer Mike Stidham said Monday it was very likely Supreme Aura would start in the Risen Star, and that he’d only consider entering the Southwest on Friday if the race were to be split into divisions. Either way, Supreme Aura will be trying two turns for the first time after two eye-catching sprint wins.

NEW ORLEANS – Perhaps he can’t bend spoons with his mind, but the 3-year-old colt Telekinesis debuted last week at Fair Grounds like a horse with unusual talent.

NEW ORLEANS – Noble Indy failed to meet a mere $45,000 reserve when taken to auction as a yearling. In that regard, he already has exceeded early expectations, and could continue on the Triple Crown trail with a solid showing Saturday in the Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds.

Noble Indy, who had been considered for other 3-year-old stakes, worked five furlongs in 1:01.12 Saturday at Palm Beach Downs in Florida, exited the work in good order, and has a Wednesday flight booked to New Orleans.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainers Danny Gargan and Dennis Lalman were both issued suspensions and fines by the New York Gaming Commission for medication violations.

Gargan was suspended 10 days and fined $1,000 for an overage of phenylbutazone in the system of the horse Playwright, who won a New York-bred maiden $40,000 claiming race at Aqueduct on Dec. 6. Bute is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory used to relieve pain.

Gargan’s suspension was reduced to seven days for waiving his right of appeal. He will begin serving the suspension Sunday.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Michelle Nevin said she thought about running My Boy Tate in Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 General George Handicap at Laurel Park, but ultimately decided to keep the New York-bred gelding home and point to Monday’s $100,000 Hollie Hughes Stakes for statebreds.

My Boy Tate has strung together four consecutive victories – all in statebred company – including a three-length score in the Say Florida Sandy Stakes here last month. Last Saturday, My Boy Tate breezed five furlongs in 1:01.77 over the Belmont training track.